tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23547766229884833552017-07-29T00:48:30.232-07:00Photography by AmberAmberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-28615459439874567002011-12-14T20:07:00.000-08:002011-12-14T20:07:09.981-08:00ahhhhh it's Justin Bieber!!!Justin Bieber has been everywhere lately. He's been on the Disney channel, at the Rockefeller Tree lighting, and even in music videos with Mariah Carey. I know this because my daughter seems to have an uncontrollable urge to squeal at the very mention of his name. *rolling my eyes*<br />All that to introduce you to the most recent shirt I made for her. I heart JB.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGi37hRZCSA/TulufVGpnkI/AAAAAAAAAhc/r57JhdXx9hw/s1600/IMG_8359+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FGi37hRZCSA/TulufVGpnkI/AAAAAAAAAhc/r57JhdXx9hw/s400/IMG_8359+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />It started out as a simple plain purple shirt costing a whopping ONE dolla! Yep..at the Dollar Tree. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; LOVE it!<br /><br />Then using the Silhouette Studio and my Silhouette SD, I cut the letters from white smooth <a href="http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/heatTransfer.aspx" target="_blank">heat transfer material</a>. And the heart from smooth dark pink. <br />The font I used for the letters is <a href="http://www.dafont.com/base-02.font" target="_blank">Base 02</a> from dafont.com. It was by far the most intricate font that I've cut. But it worked perfectly! I absolutely love the fact that everything stays in it's place on the transfer sheet. I would have never been able to keep all the little splatter pieces if it wasn't for that fact.<br /><br />While we're on the subject of tshirts....here's another Dollar Tree transformation.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLy1BN8J2Nk/TulwzP3pvvI/AAAAAAAAAhk/VypN_1NAnIw/s1600/IMG_8363+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VLy1BN8J2Nk/TulwzP3pvvI/AAAAAAAAAhk/VypN_1NAnIw/s400/IMG_8363+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She had recently picked up these fuzzy pajama pants at WalMart with some birthday money. But was bummed when she couldn't find a matching shirt. So I did what any other frugal mom would do, and made one :) To get the bow to match I placed her pants on the scanner and literally scanned them. Using photoshop, I traced the bow and created my own shape inside of Silhouette, using the trace method. And then dressed it up with some white zebra stripes around the bow. I used the same color heat transfer material as the Justin Bieber shirt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So I wonder...is there a rehab group for tshirt makers anonymous? Cause if so, I may need to attend a meeting or two!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-7993717093774004322011-12-14T19:36:00.000-08:002011-12-14T19:38:50.820-08:00Pinterest InspirationWhile spending countless hours browsing Pinterest, I came across <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/181410691209640392/" target="_blank">an idea</a> that I found to be pretty ingenious. While it may not be groundbreaking...I saw it as an easy and cheap way to make a gift for my daughter's teacher. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Pp-Nw_u52c/TulnpR1dX5I/AAAAAAAAAg8/eVe2jFsX6ow/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Pp-Nw_u52c/TulnpR1dX5I/AAAAAAAAAg8/eVe2jFsX6ow/s400/DSC_0031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source <a href="http://violetpaperwings.blogspot.com/2010/12/post-it-present.html" target="_blank">here</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />So I pinned it on Pinterest as well as in my head. While shopping at my local Dollar Tree recently, that pin popped into my head. Oh yea!! It was the perfect place to look for the supplies.<br /><br />I was able to find the clear 5x7 standing frame as well as generic brand post-it's. They were a little larger than the regular square ones, but still fit perfectly on the frame.<br /><br />After raiding my scrapbooking scraps, I found the perfect papers to use. LOVE using up paper scraps!! I also had some extra alphabet stickers lying around that matched in color as well. Major score!!<br /><br />But something just wasn't right. For whatever reason, it looked like it was missing something. Going with the office supply theme, I thought why not figure out a way for it to hold more things. Like paperclips perhaps? <br /><br />I found some old magnets on our refrigerator that had been begging to be used for quite some time now. I used&nbsp;E-6000 glue to adhere them to the front.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkhETyKiisg/TulqjpzFsdI/AAAAAAAAAhE/aSLDQul7P9s/s1600/IMG_8369+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkhETyKiisg/TulqjpzFsdI/AAAAAAAAAhE/aSLDQul7P9s/s400/IMG_8369+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />Being a person to hardly ever leave well enough alone, I embellished a green binder clip found in my desk drawer to add to the top.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMd7UmqwCHI/TulrEnwzVMI/AAAAAAAAAhM/xGGz6U1H_qU/s1600/IMG_8370+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PMd7UmqwCHI/TulrEnwzVMI/AAAAAAAAAhM/xGGz6U1H_qU/s400/IMG_8370+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glHJyVDLs68/TulrT6i51MI/AAAAAAAAAhU/_YJ28adn0YY/s1600/IMG_8371+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glHJyVDLs68/TulrT6i51MI/AAAAAAAAAhU/_YJ28adn0YY/s400/IMG_8371+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't wait to give it to her teacher. It's definitely something unique, but also useful. But best of all, only cost me $2!! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-49134123731523434292011-09-15T13:30:00.001-07:002011-09-15T13:33:58.873-07:00Great Ideas Day - w/ Infarrantly Creative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2011/09/great-ideas-day-2.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Px_Ha0-0aq8/TnJaOXPjv2I/AAAAAAAAAgw/7kPsEsrylLY/s400/GreatIdeasButton.png" width="125" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So this super cool blogger from Indiana (more cool points awarded just for that!) is having her first linky party. (Clicking on the above button will take you to her post.) And it's all about great ideas.&nbsp; What a great idea!...pun intended﻿.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wink wink, nudge nudge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It didn't take long to come up with my idea/tip.&nbsp;&nbsp;I've been contemplating sharing little tips here and there, but thought no one would really care. So I'll try it out for the first time and see where it takes me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This first item, is a product that a lot of people would probably pass over while at the store. More specifically at Wal-Mart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTjCSkKRlS4/TnJbW7WDmMI/AAAAAAAAAg0/3pyp4ZCG6Qo/s1600/2011-07-21+20.56.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GTjCSkKRlS4/TnJbW7WDmMI/AAAAAAAAAg0/3pyp4ZCG6Qo/s400/2011-07-21+20.56.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yep! Great Value Rising Crust Pizza. Are you typically a Digorno's type of person? Well we were too. But one day I was perusing the frozen pizza section, I found this one. How bad could it be, right? I took the chance and will never go back. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>It's so stinkin' good!!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That first time we tried it, I was taking ﻿it over to a friend's house for lunch. Thankfully they already know that I like to save a buck here and there whenever possible. But no one really cared. Including the kids. I now have them hooked on the brand as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The crust was just as good, if not better, than the big name brands. It was nice and soft. A lot of the time, the crust can be too hard. To be honest, some might as well be cardboard. My picky 10 year old NEVER eats her crust. But she eats this one! If that's not a selling point...lol.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So next time you're looking for a quick supper idea, save a buck or so and try out Great Value. You won't be dissapointed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now to my second recommendation. It's now that it's going to start sounding like I work for the marketing department of Wal-Mart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mOs86B16u8U/TnJdJu34vYI/AAAAAAAAAg4/9tNqtJSOG6k/s1600/2011-09-15+14.57.16_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mOs86B16u8U/TnJdJu34vYI/AAAAAAAAAg4/9tNqtJSOG6k/s400/2011-09-15+14.57.16_edit0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yep, I went there. Never thought a topic of choice would be toilet paper. But it's a new day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now before you snub your nose...I will say that as with a LOT of things, I'm pretty picky about what helps to clean "down there". Not all toilet paper is made equal. A lot are too thin, some are too thick, or just plain too soft. Just like Goldilocks said , "This one is just right" :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The moral of the story? Don't be afraid to try the store brand some times. They don't always work out in your favor (Target's store brand toilet paper), but think of the money you'll save if it does!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Sorry for the poor quality of the cell phone pictures. )</span></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-9463455667180761842011-09-01T07:33:00.000-07:002011-09-01T13:13:31.414-07:00free Printable - No Act of Kindness...Being inspired by some of the big-time bloggers, I've created a&nbsp;printable to share.&nbsp; I was browsing through a couple million quotes trying to find a specific quote, for a totally different subject. <br /><br />This one was NOT it, but I loved it and knew that it needed some printable love.<br /><br />So without further ado.......<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/lofl8a3f5h7nzjap4zl7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv0Qs-iRPE8/Tl-UGQYGe9I/AAAAAAAAAgk/NY1roR6oFhM/s400/no+act+green.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />To download click on the picture, which takes you to the Box website. Click on the download button in the top right corner to download to your computer.&nbsp;Both files&nbsp;are sized at 16x20. It can be printed anywhere you'd like, as well as at a smaller size. <br /><br />And if green just isn't your color....(I don't see how it wouldn't be!)...I created a grey version as well that would look awesome in a brightly colored frame. Same download instructions apply.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.box.net/shared/0mte2o12pcmecytabgp5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0WVh-SG9SiA/Tl-UkZcxUzI/AAAAAAAAAgo/6qpHB8BgXj8/s400/no+act+grey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><li>These&nbsp;printables are for PERSONAL USE only. You may not re-sell, re-distribute, or claim them as your own.</li><li>If posting on the internet, you MUST post a link back to this website.</li><li>Personalization, color changes, and other customizations are not available on freebie printables. They are offered “as-is”.</li><br />Happy downloading! Oh and I'd love to see pictures of what you do with it! <br><br><br><center>Hookin' this up with <br><a href="http://www.houseofhepworths.com"><img src="http://www.houseofhepworths.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/HoHnew1.png" alt="HouseofHepworths" /></a></center>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-22553957069735900342011-08-22T07:29:00.000-07:002011-08-22T07:29:49.278-07:00Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte - DIY!So people that know me well, know that I despise coffee! I can't even stand the smell. Yes really!<br /><br />It's true. Sorry to all you coffee lovers. But it means more for you, right?<br /><br />My aversion for coffee kept me away from Starbucks for years!! That is until I tried their chai tea lattes...YUM!! I was hooked. <br /><br />The only thing I wasn't so keen on being hooked on was the cost! Geez!! If I bought one every time I wanted one, I'd be flat broke! They are just that good! <br /><br />So imagine my joy when I found that they sold the concentrate inside their coffee shops. At $5 I was willing to try my hand at making one at home. But the best part is that $5 is for the whole box of concentrate that makes around&nbsp;8 drinks! Score!!!<br /><br />After I was completely addicted, Starbucks stopped selling it in their stores. Do what???? How could they do that to me? Dang you Starbucks, got me again.&nbsp; Or DID they?? <br /><br />They are now sold in several grocery stores. I found my latest box at H-E-B here in Texas for $4. Before moving here, I was able to find it at WalMart I believe. But also for only $3 at the military commissaries on base, for all you military wives :) <br /><br />Start off with the supplies: Tazo Organic Chai concentrate, milk of your choice, microwavable measuring cup, and your choice of flavoring syrup (optional, but OH so worth it!!).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss04jYsL_KM/TlJjEiKRd2I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/Y4M8JpUfUlo/s1600/IMG_5971blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ss04jYsL_KM/TlJjEiKRd2I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/Y4M8JpUfUlo/s400/IMG_5971blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not sure how much beverage you get at Starbucks, but I normally make mine 1 cup﻿. Using the measuring cup, fill to the 1/2 cup mark with concentrate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LFnEKNwl2wI/TlJkIx-tg3I/AAAAAAAAAgU/DbEdnQ_A3xE/s1600/IMG_5972blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LFnEKNwl2wI/TlJkIx-tg3I/AAAAAAAAAgU/DbEdnQ_A3xE/s400/IMG_5972blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then fill to the 1 cup line with milk. Our house uses 2%, but you can use whatever milk or milk substitute that you prefer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgshpFqjBj0/TlJkbQi4V_I/AAAAAAAAAgY/vy6EZHqNVNc/s1600/IMG_5973blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OgshpFqjBj0/TlJkbQi4V_I/AAAAAAAAAgY/vy6EZHqNVNc/s400/IMG_5973blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At this point, the only thing left is to heat. Again, there are several different ways to do this, but the easiest way is using the microwave!! AKA- the fastest route to my tummy!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For 1 cup, I normally heat for a minute and a half.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FT1tB4PPuME/TlJlA4aWisI/AAAAAAAAAgc/lOpexQxG_9g/s1600/IMG_5974blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FT1tB4PPuME/TlJlA4aWisI/AAAAAAAAAgc/lOpexQxG_9g/s400/IMG_5974blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For some people, you would be done now. Pour into your favorite mug, and enjoy. But I can't bring myself to stop there. Once you try a flavored you just might be hooked like I was. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My&nbsp;favorite flavor is caramel. It's found in the coffee aisle at the grocery store, and caramel can normally be found all year round.&nbsp; On my latest trip to purchase more, I found pumpkin pie flavored!!&nbsp; Having tried pumpkin at Starbucks, I had to give it a try!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now would be the time to add in your syrup and stir. Pumpkin pie is SO yummy!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CL9iqVkzKc/TlJl46RvPpI/AAAAAAAAAgg/qub3HI1dAdI/s1600/IMG_5976blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CL9iqVkzKc/TlJl46RvPpI/AAAAAAAAAgg/qub3HI1dAdI/s400/IMG_5976blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Disclaimer: you will be addicted to this drink. I can not be held responsible for any lost sleep over thinking about your next fix. And for less then half of the cost of going to Starbucks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R74S2_gwPgA/TlJjBP7EABI/AAAAAAAAAgM/Fj4dZ26EmpI/s1600/IMG_5981blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R74S2_gwPgA/TlJjBP7EABI/AAAAAAAAAgM/Fj4dZ26EmpI/s400/IMG_5981blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You're welcome! ;)</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-57270174232896159412011-08-18T21:26:00.000-07:002011-08-18T21:26:36.804-07:00Drink up! - Bottle cap necklaceWhile out on a recent shopping excursion, my daughter spotted some really cute bottlecap necklaces. As I was bracing myself for the whining that follows her asking to buy one, and mean 'ole mom saying no..... my little girl surprised me!<br /> <br />She simply said something along the lines of :<br /> <br />"Hey Mom, I like these but I know we could make them ourselves."<br /> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My daughter say WHAT??</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Said in my best Hannah Montana fast talking impression)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">You can't even start to imagine how proud I was at that moment. No matter the fact that I had no freakin' clue what supplies we'd need. But where there is a will there is a way﻿, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Enter my husband. While he normally doesn't have much to do with any of my projects, he did have a small hand in this one. And I'm sure it a sacrifice he would do time and time again. But don't go feeling sorry for him. It was simply to drink the bottled beers in the fridge. Rough life, right??</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">So on to the steps.</div><div style="text-align: left;">First drink a bottled beverage, and save the cap. Wash and dry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsU_-yemDGQ/Tk3akMNJAEI/AAAAAAAAAfs/r4VAFWaXCgs/s1600/IMG_5851blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lsU_-yemDGQ/Tk3akMNJAEI/AAAAAAAAAfs/r4VAFWaXCgs/s400/IMG_5851blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Next, using a nail, make a hole in the bottlecap where the sides meet the top. Insert a 9mm jump ring and close. (Sorry there aren't pics of this part.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Once you have the jump ring closed, spray paint the back side of said bottlecap so that no one can tell your sweet young daughter really has a beer cap hanging from her neck :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0uB7djuJZZk/Tk3bGz75eaI/AAAAAAAAAfw/6f1XDs_H9Mk/s1600/IMG_5850blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0uB7djuJZZk/Tk3bGz75eaI/AAAAAAAAAfw/6f1XDs_H9Mk/s400/IMG_5850blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Now comes the fun part. Coming up with what you want the inside to look like. For this example, I cut out a 1 inch circle from houndstooth paper, and the letter A out of cardstock using my Silhouette. But of course you could cut any design you want using scissors as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HU4OGGv9L4/Tk3g5MTc13I/AAAAAAAAAf0/XW0eGRmFJGY/s1600/IMG_5849blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HU4OGGv9L4/Tk3g5MTc13I/AAAAAAAAAf0/XW0eGRmFJGY/s400/IMG_5849blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Using liberal amounts of ModPodge, glue the circle into place under the jump ring. Cover the top side of the circle as well, and adhere any embellishments. Then give everything a nice coat to seal it all together. Don't worry, it will dry clear.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyEyB3LfYsU/Tk3hinUpiKI/AAAAAAAAAf4/X2a-t01THOo/s1600/IMG_5852blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyEyB3LfYsU/Tk3hinUpiKI/AAAAAAAAAf4/X2a-t01THOo/s400/IMG_5852blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Once it is all dry, fill in the bottlecap with Dimensional Magic. This stuff can be tedious to work with some times, but there are a lot of tips out there in "blog-land".</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jflNcWG4y7s/Tk3iDXyPs5I/AAAAAAAAAf8/NJrzBe3rRBY/s1600/177563-3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jflNcWG4y7s/Tk3iDXyPs5I/AAAAAAAAAf8/NJrzBe3rRBY/s400/177563-3-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once filled, leave the bottlecap on a flat surface to dry overnight. The directions say to let it dry for 3 hours, but that is most likely for a smaller amount than what I used. And whatever you do, resist the urge to do a touch test. It's the hardest part of this whole thing. Remember that feeling when you smudge your nail polish cause you just can't wait any longer? Yep...you'll feel the same way in this case. So do yourself a favor, and wait it out.﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">﻿</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIrhlZhZNjA/Tk3jlWHbbXI/AAAAAAAAAgA/aPx4gB9G4p4/s1600/IMG_5853blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RIrhlZhZNjA/Tk3jlWHbbXI/AAAAAAAAAgA/aPx4gB9G4p4/s400/IMG_5853blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">And just when you can't it ANY longer....it's done! Hang it from your necklace of choice and wear your creation proudly. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVyx-kIt9ck/Tk3kri26KuI/AAAAAAAAAgE/mp2DvJSdP40/s1600/IMG_5911blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVyx-kIt9ck/Tk3kri26KuI/AAAAAAAAAgE/mp2DvJSdP40/s400/IMG_5911blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">And here's the original that started it all. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwn0VP_aznw/Tk3k22_C7wI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Ai9Y7kk8gU8/s1600/IMG_5912blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fwn0VP_aznw/Tk3k22_C7wI/AAAAAAAAAgI/Ai9Y7kk8gU8/s400/IMG_5912blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'd love to see if any of you make any!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-91588636477111818492011-03-11T05:16:00.000-08:002011-03-11T05:16:40.538-08:00Want a free movie??Are you&nbsp;a movie buff? Watch a lot of movies? Then it's safe to say that you may have already known about the awesome-ness that is <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://redbox.tellapal.com/a/clk/z7lDD" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bRSM0enQbZQ/TXodX3F4lBI/AAAAAAAAAfk/K2AlaBjuThs/s200/redbox.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>But just in case you've been under a rock....I've got a great deal for you! Clicking <a href="http://redbox.tellapal.com/a/clk/z7lDD"><span style="font-size: large;">here</span></a>&nbsp;will take you to a special link that RedBox helped me create. If you click on the&nbsp;link and it's your first time renting online, they'll give you a free one-night online rental credit. And I'll get a free rental each time you rent via my link through 3/17/11.<br /><br />Reserving movies online is the way to go! Putting in your zip code will pull up a list of all of the kiosks local to you. Once you select the one you'd like to go to, you can then view the movies that are currently available at that location. As you are confirming your reservation, they then ask for your credit card information to hold the DVD for you to pick up. Your card is not charged until you go to the kiosk to receive the DVD. But don't forget the card you used.&nbsp; At the redbox, touch "Online Reservation Pickup," swipe your credit card and go!<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">What are you waiting for??&nbsp;</span><a href="http://redbox.tellapal.com/a/clk/z7lDD"><span style="font-size: large;">The movies await</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">!!</span>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-57286029685325521372011-03-10T09:00:00.000-08:002011-03-10T09:00:50.427-08:00Knitting: Not just for grandma anymore!Being a housewife that does not work, I have a lot of free time on my hands. And while I know quite a few women that would kill for just&nbsp;a little bit of free time to themselves, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Don't get me wrong, I've been on the other side as well. At our last duty station, I did work outside the home and felt like I never had enough time to do anything else. But for now, I am fortunate enough to spend my time at home.<br /><br />With that being said, it got to a point recently that it was just too much time. I had nothing to do. When we first moved here, I had gone on a decorating, recycling, painting etc spree. I have all the walls covered with my creations, with no room for anything else. (I already feel like it's a little cluttered as is. I didn't need to add to it)<br /><br />So in my fits of boredom, I brainstormed ideas that could get me into something new. A friend of mine had started learning how to knit a few months before, and I got to thinking about it. I hadn't ever tried to learn or had anyone to teach me. But it didn't stop me from looking up videos on YouTube. You can just about anything and everything on there, I swear!&nbsp; Without boring you with all the details, long story short is that I got hooked. My first project was a simple garter stitch scarf on straight needles. I just didn't know what it was called at the time. All I knew was that I was knitting row after row after row. <br /><br />But enough of the talky talk...I'll get to pictures. To limit the sheer amount, I'll add them in collage and then describe below. You know...cause I can't seem to stop talking....ever!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7xkHTuTgcWY/TXj_WBlFHjI/AAAAAAAAAfg/o-5undXvDKc/s1600/knitted+prjects+blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7xkHTuTgcWY/TXj_WBlFHjI/AAAAAAAAAfg/o-5undXvDKc/s640/knitted+prjects+blog.png" width="255" /></a></div><br />1. My very first knitted project.<br />2. a set of cabled wristlets to try doing cable stitches. It was so much easier than I had ever imagined. As <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;long as you have the right supplies<br />3. a hat for my daughter, first one made with circular needles. The only problem was that it got too small to <br />&nbsp;&nbsp; finish on the circular needles, so for the first time I transferred the work to double pointed needles (dpns), <br />&nbsp;&nbsp; and some where in the process I messed up and knitted the opposite of what I needed. That's the reason <br />&nbsp;&nbsp; for the large pom pom to help hide the mistake ;) Lesson learned<br />4.my first of many newborn hats. This one was sent to our friends in NC that are expecting their first little <br />&nbsp;&nbsp; one!<br />5. more newborn experience, this time for friends expecting baby #3...along with a custom designed onesie <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;with their nickname&nbsp;for the baby while still in the "oven"<br />6. a girly colorful number made for a friend's toddler...fit for a little one that already loves to accessorize. <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; LOVE it!<br />7. living with my husband, I knew that I needed to attempt to make a New York Yankees hat. Thankfully <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; after&nbsp;some advice from the owner of <a href="http://www.verypink.com/">www.verypink.com</a> I got the results you see. (this was attempt #3)<br />8. After making #6, I knew I couldn't leave out her older brother. And he loves loves loves Yo Gabba <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gabba. <br />9. Yet another newborn hat. This one was shipped out to Virginia to some friends that unexpectedly had to <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;move. They had been stationed here, and she had become my thrift shopping buddy. I was sad to see <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; them go. But they are also expecting their first baby girl. And she's the first in line of my 4 friends to&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; deliver. I can NOT wait to see pics of this little one!<br /><br />There you have it. The abridged version of my last 2-3 months. I am by no means anywhere close to an expert knitter. And I guess that's why I felt like I didn't have much business blogging about my creations.<br /><br />Ok, I must go. I'm off to start on the last of the newborn hats. Love it!!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-70145906375447797312011-03-07T15:27:00.000-08:002011-03-09T15:28:06.157-08:00The world for a pen!I'm sure all of you can understand this next scenario. You get a phone call. The person on the other end has some information to give you, that needs to be written down before you forget. Oh crap! Where, where,&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large;">WHERE is a pen</span>???&nbsp; I grew tired of the hide and seek game that all the pens in our house was playing. When coming across a pen randomly laid out on our counter, or table, or floor, or laundry room,&nbsp;I would then walk it over to the side table in our living room. We have our couches in an L shape with a large square table in the corner. After a while I had gotten quite the collection. So much so that it was taking over and looking way too cluttered. But what to do with them all? I still wanted them to be accessible, but not neccesarily in the large heap pile they were in at the time.<br /><br />The solution came to me in the kitchen. I was at the sink, cleaning out several items intended for the recycling bin. For supper the night before we had opened two cans of peas. And the cans looked like a perfect container for all the pens I had accumulated. So once the insides of the cans were clean, I then tore the labels off. <br /><br />But they still needed a little something else. Don't you agree?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-78TDMpoFsdY/TXgGKuGB2xI/AAAAAAAAAfE/1yUBIZwuTHg/s1600/IMG_1703+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-78TDMpoFsdY/TXgGKuGB2xI/AAAAAAAAAfE/1yUBIZwuTHg/s400/IMG_1703+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>And yes, that is one HUGE pen there in the middle. My daughter bought it from a Mother's Day fundraiser at her school. What's that? You'd like to see it? I knew you'd ask ;)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6E9FP6o0EuU/TXgGhOuMyBI/AAAAAAAAAfI/VSXjXxNN-HE/s1600/IMG_1707+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6E9FP6o0EuU/TXgGhOuMyBI/AAAAAAAAAfI/VSXjXxNN-HE/s400/IMG_1707+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">All together now...awwww! I'm so loved</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I'd love to say that I covered the metal cans right away. My original thought was to cover them in scrapbooking paper, and scrapbooking embellishments. Lord knows I have enough laying around. But for some reason the task of measuring and cutting the paper was more than I felt I wanted to take on at the time. So there they say..in the metal cans for about a week.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Just as I was about to give in to the measuring and cutting of paper, another idea hit me. I still had some burlap leftover from my table runner for my tv stand that I could use, as well as some leftover fabric from another art piece. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't have pictures of the process of putting the cans together. Sorry, bad blogger!﻿ But I do have the after shots.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first one is covered with some brown fabric, a little piece of webbing leftover from the same table runner, and a set aside piece from an old necklace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bQvKK_7gP5w/TXgJAAEFKMI/AAAAAAAAAfM/_8VOvcGjraM/s1600/IMG_1713+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bQvKK_7gP5w/TXgJAAEFKMI/AAAAAAAAAfM/_8VOvcGjraM/s400/IMG_1713+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I&nbsp;used my handy dandy glue gun to attach each of the fabrics to the can, with the seams lining up in the back. It still needed a little more embellishment. And what's better than using something you already have? I had bought a necklace a couple years ago, but never liked the tassel the hung from it. I had removed it before wearing the necklace, but didn't want to part with it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6NWJEf834Fw/TXgKFeg1POI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/chp2jr33Dog/s1600/IMG_1712+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6NWJEf834Fw/TXgKFeg1POI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/chp2jr33Dog/s400/IMG_1712+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I ran a piece of embroidery thread around the can to hang it from.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As for the second can, I wanted to go with something a little "frillier". I felt like the one above felt a little structured, so I wanted to soften the other one a little. It got covered with the burlap, white ribbon, and some white felt.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IURGk9Y6rgw/TXgK8XOYhEI/AAAAAAAAAfU/UZayCKCnETI/s1600/IMG_1718+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IURGk9Y6rgw/TXgK8XOYhEI/AAAAAAAAAfU/UZayCKCnETI/s400/IMG_1718+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">After seeing these felt pom pom flower type things all over blogland, I had been wanting to make one. I just hadn't had the right place or reason. It was perfect for this situation.&nbsp;Opposite of the first can, I left the unfinished seam in the front. I wanted to be able to see the fringe left on the top and seam. I then ran some white ribbon around the can with the seam also in the front so that it could be covered by the felt. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NcEJaPjGNvE/TXgLiwl6T6I/AAAAAAAAAfY/BJJuqOK8AYs/s1600/IMG_1716+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NcEJaPjGNvE/TXgLiwl6T6I/AAAAAAAAAfY/BJJuqOK8AYs/s400/IMG_1716+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>And there you have it. Recycled vegetable cans into functional but pretty pen and cord organization.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YFgV1mDjVlo/TXgL8VNccMI/AAAAAAAAAfc/gh8GbcNLaAY/s1600/IMG_1720+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YFgV1mDjVlo/TXgL8VNccMI/AAAAAAAAAfc/gh8GbcNLaAY/s400/IMG_1720+%25282%2529+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pay no attention to the layer of dust on the lamp. Geez, what was I thinking??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But you get the idea. Now when I get those phone calls, I know exactly where to go for something to write with. No more hide and seek playing with the pens. Now just if the paper would come out of it's hiding, I'd be golden. It never ends!﻿</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-22349283487000229732011-01-04T17:42:00.000-08:002011-01-04T17:42:34.052-08:00DIY table runner, on a budgetAfter putting away Christmas decorations, it always feels so bare in the house. At least at mine anyway. While decorating for the holidays, I came across a festive table runner that I had forgotten all about. Yes.....had forgotten all about when I had just purchased and used it last year. I know, pathetic...but what can I say? Moving will do that to ya.<br /><br />Remember this?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl8MFEo8CI/AAAAAAAAAbw/LWRGzWDiohk/s1600/IMG_3116blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl8MFEo8CI/AAAAAAAAAbw/LWRGzWDiohk/s400/IMG_3116blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>The placement of the runner sort of was an accident, but I loved having something under the tv so that it wasn't just a bare cabinet underneath.<br /><br />So I set out in search of an everyday option. I looked at several stores and just wasn't finding anything that appealed to me. There were lacy numbers...bleh. Stripes...again.bleh. Florals..uh uh. I'm not quite sure why it took me so long to get to my next conclusion. Why not just make my own? Oh that's right...cause <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I DON'T SEW!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what is a non-sew-er (it looked strange w/o the dash) to do﻿ in times like this? Turn to blogland for inspiration of course.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've seen so many neat projects others bloggers have done using burlap, and even seen Nate Burkus endorse it on his show.That's it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I set out in search of the burlap. Not knowing my way around&nbsp;the fabric section, I had to ask for help finding it. They had light brown, tan, white, black, sage, and hunter green. I had given thought to some green to add a little color, but really liked the natural raw look of the natural brown. But oh crap! I forgot to measure the cabinet top before I left. So I got 2 yards just in case. And thank goodness!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPAjW_QFoI/AAAAAAAAAec/db_xbcVE9Bg/s1600/IMG_1192+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPAjW_QFoI/AAAAAAAAAec/db_xbcVE9Bg/s400/IMG_1192+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had more than I needed, but 1 yard would have some up short. That just means I'll have some leftover to use on other things...yippee!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I then eyeballed about how long I wanted the sides to hang off..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPCKp5WKSI/AAAAAAAAAeg/jViPriutBKE/s1600/IMG_1194+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPCKp5WKSI/AAAAAAAAAeg/jViPriutBKE/s400/IMG_1194+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">And then made a cut. Of course as soon as the scissors made the first cut, I realized that I was cutting into the unwrinkled end of the burlap. Crap. I could have easily cut off the other end so that I didn't have to iron it. Oh well...ya live and learn. It was too late at that point.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPC8HYGDQI/AAAAAAAAAek/Y-fFERZ88kU/s1600/IMG_1195+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPC8HYGDQI/AAAAAAAAAek/Y-fFERZ88kU/s400/IMG_1195+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">After cutting off one end, I folded the material in half lengthwise to cut the width to the correct size. I'm horrible at cutting a straight line, so I wanted to lessen the length I'd have to cut. The burlap was a little hard for my scissors to cut through since it was 4 layers thick, but they also have a hard time with paper..lol. So I cut 2 layers at a time up to a point, and then followed with the same cut on the remaining layers, making sure to follow the same line as the first cut. (That made sense in my head. Hope the picture helps)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was than time to fray the edges.&nbsp;Here is where I'd like to give first time users of burlap a little piece of advice. Do not sit on the floor, in dark jeans while fraying the edges of burlap. Don't say I didn't warn ya.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPFrLg0HvI/AAAAAAAAAeo/SWvzzs4jBz4/s1600/IMG_1198+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPFrLg0HvI/AAAAAAAAAeo/SWvzzs4jBz4/s400/IMG_1198+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It gets messy. Just sayin.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But it's worth it. It has the natural look I was going for and has&nbsp;just enough color to be a good backdrop for other decor. Oh and it's CHEAP! At only $3.99/yard, you can't go wrong.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPG-cl3bCI/AAAAAAAAAes/R8ucR14Tiy0/s1600/IMG_1205+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPG-cl3bCI/AAAAAAAAAes/R8ucR14Tiy0/s400/IMG_1205+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh yea, and I also bought a couple yards of burlap webbing. I had originally planned to wrap it around a few vases, but the burlap needed something a little more to go along with it. But at 79cents/yard, I can easily go back for more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've had this frame for only a whole year and a half, and just now filling it with pictures. I love when projects motivate me to finish others. It's sat in a box, unfilled until now. (Bought from Michael's some time last year cause I HAD to have it....yep)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPJVPAvQdI/AAAAAAAAAe0/5_SE1jEbPOs/s1600/IMG_1211+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPJVPAvQdI/AAAAAAAAAe0/5_SE1jEbPOs/s400/IMG_1211+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div>On the left are 2 of 3 whiffle balls from the 99cent store covered in hot glue and jute string. I love all the ideas you can find for cheap. Decor balls can get so pricey!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPJ4BDsnLI/AAAAAAAAAe4/rcD-A3S-fXQ/s1600/IMG_1210+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPJ4BDsnLI/AAAAAAAAAe4/rcD-A3S-fXQ/s400/IMG_1210+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On top of this thrift store book find, is a glass piece that belonged to my grandmother. On our most recent trip to Indiana for Thanksgiving, my dad got some of her things out of&nbsp;their storage. I didn't see a lot that I could envision using in our house, but this way too cute to pass up. In person it looks almost like lace. I had originally thought it would make a great landing place for jewelry while doing dishes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPKLgyTFSI/AAAAAAAAAe8/f5pk-uASx7k/s1600/IMG_1209+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPKLgyTFSI/AAAAAAAAAe8/f5pk-uASx7k/s400/IMG_1209+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPILkKXZpI/AAAAAAAAAew/5BRLyUSYFmI/s1600/IMG_1201+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TSPILkKXZpI/AAAAAAAAAew/5BRLyUSYFmI/s400/IMG_1201+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Not bad for a little over $10 right?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">The tv doesn't look so bare anymore :)</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-70081053104540992782010-12-23T09:02:00.000-08:002010-12-24T09:38:26.387-08:00My baby's a decade oldBoy am I starting to feel old! Today is my daughter's 10th birthday and Mommy is having a hard time with the fact that she's now in double digits.&nbsp; But she couldn't be more excited.<br /><br />The day before her birthday, her Uncle Cody flew into town from New Orleans. He was coming in for the holidays and was just an added bonus that he was here for Brianna's big day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTWac8ysoI/AAAAAAAAAdo/mAvQfoQcEQQ/s1600/IMG_0720+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTWac8ysoI/AAAAAAAAAdo/mAvQfoQcEQQ/s400/IMG_0720+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTXjSP_bqI/AAAAAAAAAds/zdnVgzUM4EM/s1600/IMG_0728+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTXjSP_bqI/AAAAAAAAAds/zdnVgzUM4EM/s400/IMG_0728+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTXpoESpeI/AAAAAAAAAdw/xAQRZ17qBj0/s1600/IMG_0734+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTXpoESpeI/AAAAAAAAAdw/xAQRZ17qBj0/s400/IMG_0734+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTYTbfplcI/AAAAAAAAAd0/H_dRpxspnE0/s1600/IMG_0735+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTYTbfplcI/AAAAAAAAAd0/H_dRpxspnE0/s400/IMG_0735+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTYY7Qu7bI/AAAAAAAAAd4/YtxmUNz7NNk/s1600/IMG_0737+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTYY7Qu7bI/AAAAAAAAAd4/YtxmUNz7NNk/s400/IMG_0737+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">how cool are these silly bands?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTYgqt_XsI/AAAAAAAAAd8/XC3RbP0fRzI/s1600/IMG_0739+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTYgqt_XsI/AAAAAAAAAd8/XC3RbP0fRzI/s400/IMG_0739+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>And for the day's festivities, the birthday girl requested bowling and supper at Red Robin. And I'm not sure how it happened, but I forgot my camera at home. So the rest of the pics are cell phone pics.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTZNXqyUJI/AAAAAAAAAeA/uu_n0D1sn_w/s1600/2010-12-23+15.15.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTZNXqyUJI/AAAAAAAAAeA/uu_n0D1sn_w/s400/2010-12-23+15.15.41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTZjnF0bwI/AAAAAAAAAeE/ju77O-aOPtg/s1600/2010-12-23+15.22.48%255B0%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTZjnF0bwI/AAAAAAAAAeE/ju77O-aOPtg/s400/2010-12-23+15.22.48%255B0%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTZ1y3EtyI/AAAAAAAAAeI/OhF1PgvTcGI/s1600/2010-12-23+15.18.43%255B5%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTZ1y3EtyI/AAAAAAAAAeI/OhF1PgvTcGI/s400/2010-12-23+15.18.43%255B5%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTZ9-g3ZAI/AAAAAAAAAeM/-_f3BrSk6bw/s1600/2010-12-23+17.32.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTZ9-g3ZAI/AAAAAAAAAeM/-_f3BrSk6bw/s400/2010-12-23+17.32.53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTaGAzq-qI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/AEU_ohXdTlE/s1600/2010-12-23+17.33.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTaGAzq-qI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/AEU_ohXdTlE/s400/2010-12-23+17.33.48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTaOwtguBI/AAAAAAAAAeU/cUnsP7jTxGE/s1600/2010-12-23+17.34.30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTaOwtguBI/AAAAAAAAAeU/cUnsP7jTxGE/s400/2010-12-23+17.34.30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />When asked, she said she had a good day. Family, fun, and icecream...how could she not?Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-58878208594840024702010-12-22T09:01:00.000-08:002010-12-24T09:01:32.882-08:00Hanging out in treesIn my last post, I told you guys that I was having&nbsp;a good friend coming into town. And that I would share pics afterwards. I guess the Christmas rush got ahold of me and I hadn't been able to post an update until now.<br /><br />They made their way into town that night and spent the night at a hotel on base, across town from us. The next morning we invited them over to our house. We figured instead of going out to eat lunch somewhere, that they might appreciate a home cooked lunch for a break. Eating out on the road day in and day out can get really old. They had already driven from Washington state, all the way down here to Texas. And have more to go after their Christmas break with family.<br /><br />After eating, and before her young son could get too tired, we took off for a park that my daughter had found that morning. It had really cool trees with branches that just about touched the ground! That spot will definitely show up again in future photo shoots. I guarantee!<br /><br />Here's a small dose of the trees.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTPzY5v8aI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ks8Ltu8DXz4/s1600/IMG_0590+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTPzY5v8aI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ks8Ltu8DXz4/s400/IMG_0590+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>And without further ado....Andrea and her beautiful family!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTQHdYIRaI/AAAAAAAAAdU/TR_27mHoYig/s1600/IMG_0537+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTQHdYIRaI/AAAAAAAAAdU/TR_27mHoYig/s400/IMG_0537+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTQM775yTI/AAAAAAAAAdY/idCCPwNGkrg/s1600/IMG_0551+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTQM775yTI/AAAAAAAAAdY/idCCPwNGkrg/s400/IMG_0551+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTQTdumT6I/AAAAAAAAAdc/byG-m4nJ04k/s1600/IMG_0571+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTQTdumT6I/AAAAAAAAAdc/byG-m4nJ04k/s400/IMG_0571+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTQeRuwrNI/AAAAAAAAAdg/LlE7WKUC-G8/s400/IMG_0585+blog.jpg" width="266" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTQ0GFSeUI/AAAAAAAAAdk/x5r32sLOU0E/s1600/IMG_0565+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TRTQ0GFSeUI/AAAAAAAAAdk/x5r32sLOU0E/s400/IMG_0565+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only regret is that we didn't have more time to get to hang out. But we enjoyed the time we had. After letting the kids stretch their legs at the playground, they were on their way to her mom's house for the holidays. I'm so glad that we finally got to meet everyone. Some day, it would be great if we could all be stationed in the same area. But until then, we'll continue talking on the phone and chatting on Yahoo messenger. Right, Andrea?</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-21731685706656726722010-12-20T09:40:00.000-08:002010-12-20T09:41:15.065-08:00A friend is coming to visit!!/I am so excited for today. My friend Andrea over at <a href="http://walkinginmysocks.blogspot.com/">Walking in My Socks</a>&nbsp;is coming for a visit. And while normally it would have been quite a trip to just spend one day with us, they just happen to be in the area. They are moving across country with the military and was stopping in Texas to see her family for Christmas. Thank you Raquel for living so close to me !! :)<br /><br />And the reason I'm so excited? Because I am yet to meet her kids and husband. I met her in person ONE time at a mutual friend's house for a ladies game night. We were told we had a lot in common at the time. And boy&nbsp;were they right!! About a year after that first meeting, we started a page together on Myspace (back when it was cool) to design graphics for people to use on their page. We had a lot of fun and have continued our long distance friendship long after the switch to facebook.<br /><br />So today I finally get to have a second meeting, and meet her ADORABLE family for the first time. And of course I'm gonna have the privilege of taking some family pictures for them.<br /><br />&nbsp;Yay!! Can't wait! I'll post the pics soon!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-40084318453335446852010-12-14T07:33:00.000-08:002010-12-14T07:41:19.874-08:00My 8 year anniversaryToday marks 8 years since my husband and I got married at&nbsp;the <a href="http://www.frenchquarterweddingchapel.com/index.html">French Quarter Wedding Chapel</a>. It boasts that it's the only wedding chapel in the french quarter of New Orleans.<br /><br />So let me take you back for a story sure to ensue laughter........<br /><br />It was December of 2002. Stephen, being in the military, was due for a change of duty station and we knew that we wanted to be married before that. We had been engaged since mid August, and figured why not do it now? We went online looking for wedding chapels in the area and thought the French Quarter Wedding Chapel would make for a good memory. And we were right.<br /><br />I remember it well...we called about rates and dates Saturday December 7th and decided that exactly a week later that we'd be married. So if you're following along closely, that meant we had exactly ONE WEEK to get everything into place! Talk about being resourceful!!<br /><br />Oh...and talk about short notice...We had a week to get his mother there from New Jersey. And unfortunately my dad couldn't get off of work in such short notice, but my step-mom came in his place from Indiana. Looking back, I wish we would have had more time to plan things out, but that is common-place for military weddings.<br /><br />Moving onto attire. My sister had a white dress and matching shoes that she had worn to her&nbsp;high school&nbsp;prom.&nbsp;The dress&nbsp;was a little snug in the chest, but I got it to work...lol. Bride attire-- check. Stephen decided that since we were on a budget both monetary and time wise, that he would wear his cracker jack uniform. Ahh a man in uniform. :) For my veil, I bought a pretty beaded white hair comb to put into my hair...that we later attached some tulle from my mom's old veil. <br /><br />Attire was now taken care for my future husband and I, now what would our&nbsp;witnesses&nbsp;wear. My sister was going to stand up for me. We asked a few friends if they had any dresses that we could borrow for the event. My best friend from high school came thru for us in a big way! She had been in someone's wedding I believe, and still had the bridesmaid dress. Awesome! What about the best man? Stephen's twin brother was living in New Orleans at that time, so it was natural for him to be his best man. And who would've known that he actually OWNED a tuxedo?? Ok...this was working out better than I had expected.<br /><br />A friend of his brother's helped us to make all of our flowers. They were his wedding gift to us. We used artificial flowers, and I still get to look at them today and forever. And he also did my hair and makeup, and my sister's as well. (To add to the feel of the day, this friend bragged that he was a title holding drag queen in New Orleans. He assured me that I was in good hands....complete with a "z snap". And yes!! I'm serious!)<br /><br />Ok...so now it's THE day. We get ready at my brother in law's house in New Orleans. Everyone that was attending was there watching as I got my hair practically pulled out by the roots. The teasing, the hairspray, the brushing, more hairspray, and more teasing. I tried to tell him I was tender headed, but he didn't care all that much. Thanks David!! *rolling eyes*<br /><br />* Are you still with me? lol<br /><br />To get to the chapel, we tried to pile as many people into each car as possible since there is limited parking in the French Quarter. Oh and there's also what seems to be a maze of one way streets. Oh that was fun! As we were driving down the street that the chapel was on, we come about&nbsp;a "DO NOT ENTER" sign. The one way street that we were on had stopped, and the chapel was within sight on the other side of the intersection. You see, Rue Burgundy St was made of 2- one way streets that met in the middle. Fun!!<br /><br />Once we all had made our way to the other end of the street we had just been on, we then had the problem of parking. Stephen had found the perfect spot, but needed a little assistance from his best man. His brother got out of the car to stop the few cars that we waiting to pass as Stephen backed into his spot. Oh did I fail to mention that the car that he stopped was a COP?? A man in a tuxedo stops traffic and it happens to be a cop! But this is New Orleans and nothing happened.....LOL .<br /><br />We all get parked, get out of the cars to walk up to the chapel when a fire truck comes driving down the road. Normally that would probably mean a fire..but remember we're in the Big Easy. No, it was leisurely driving up and down the streets of town manned by people wearing Santa hats and throwing Mardi Gras beads!!! It's December and we had Mardi Gras beads being thrown to us. ONLY in Nawlins!!<br /><br />So the rest was pretty calm comparatively speaking. We said our vows, said I do, and was received by a violinist playing Anchors Aweigh. ( It was THEIR idea, since Stephen's in the Navy. ) The in-house photographer then posed us for pictures before we left for our small gathering back at my brother in law's house. At which my brother in law had prepared TONS of native cuisine for everyone. He's a chef that was working at a 4 star restaurant at the time. Food--check!<br /><br />Now that I've shared all the details, I'll share pictures. The b&amp;w pictures are from the in-house photographer..aka the officiants wife. She used b&amp;w film as per our request, but seems to need some more training on picture taking. Most of the roll was BLURRY! Blurry wedding pictures...nice! But it is what it is, right?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeD8LcuN1I/AAAAAAAAAb0/4HitDpEaa6I/s1600/File0154+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeD8LcuN1I/AAAAAAAAAb0/4HitDpEaa6I/s400/File0154+copy+blog.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my brother in law and my sister</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeEQgbEggI/AAAAAAAAAb4/4S7C2HL6uDk/s1600/File0155+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeEQgbEggI/AAAAAAAAAb4/4S7C2HL6uDk/s400/File0155+copy+blog.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my oldest younger brother walked me down the aisle<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeEePGwO8I/AAAAAAAAAb8/BvKrsLyZYxI/s1600/File0157+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeEePGwO8I/AAAAAAAAAb8/BvKrsLyZYxI/s400/File0157+blog.jpg" width="272" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeElFFR5WI/AAAAAAAAAcA/eQVrZlfbJpU/s1600/File0158+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeElFFR5WI/AAAAAAAAAcA/eQVrZlfbJpU/s400/File0158+blog.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeEsT1MBlI/AAAAAAAAAcE/TXCBi7W6BGQ/s1600/File0159+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeEsT1MBlI/AAAAAAAAAcE/TXCBi7W6BGQ/s400/File0159+copy+blog.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">of all the pictures to be blurry..the kiss. <br />With my daughter in tow</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeE645Y6bI/AAAAAAAAAcI/xUAX5KwqbY0/s1600/File0160+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeE645Y6bI/AAAAAAAAAcI/xUAX5KwqbY0/s400/File0160+blog.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2nd try?? Yep, still blurry</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeFEtj6NOI/AAAAAAAAAcM/vNrOB3MdBBI/s1600/File0162+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeFEtj6NOI/AAAAAAAAAcM/vNrOB3MdBBI/s400/File0162+blog.jpg" width="270" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeFNVdZ-AI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/z3bVK_m0iZA/s1600/File0163+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeFNVdZ-AI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/z3bVK_m0iZA/s400/File0163+blog.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was then instructed to take off my glasses.<br />I love this picture in spite of it's lack of focus</td></tr></tbody></table>Can you tell I'm still pretty miffed that most of the important pics were blurry? Sorry, it's what I DO!!<br />﻿﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeFlumpZBI/AAAAAAAAAcU/Og-KuCGLyu8/s1600/File0164+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeFlumpZBI/AAAAAAAAAcU/Og-KuCGLyu8/s400/File0164+copy+blog.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen's side of the family.<br />His mom and brother</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeGQlSEtlI/AAAAAAAAAcc/UPafAnQj7_Q/s1600/File0153+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeGQlSEtlI/AAAAAAAAAcc/UPafAnQj7_Q/s400/File0153+copy+blog.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though it was close to Christmas,<br />I didn't actually want it in our pics. <br />Guess they had other plans.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">﻿The rest of these pictures were taken by someone else's camera throughout the day. I should have saved the money and had THEM take our pictures...lol</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeHAjNqaUI/AAAAAAAAAcg/E5_OtO8uo9g/s1600/File0165+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeHAjNqaUI/AAAAAAAAAcg/E5_OtO8uo9g/s400/File0165+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">makeup done, hair in process and trying to get a 2 yr old <br />to sit still long enough for a picture. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeHc_WWooI/AAAAAAAAAck/0hUdgBPeCIc/s1600/File0167+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeHc_WWooI/AAAAAAAAAck/0hUdgBPeCIc/s400/File0167+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen's mom and brother back at his house after the ceremony<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeH6sF5BBI/AAAAAAAAAco/ePD6GLFlPXw/s1600/File0168+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeH6sF5BBI/AAAAAAAAAco/ePD6GLFlPXw/s400/File0168+copy+blog.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeIFmD7mKI/AAAAAAAAAcs/natG17PyGFc/s1600/File0169+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeIFmD7mKI/AAAAAAAAAcs/natG17PyGFc/s400/File0169+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeIQ1tXhLI/AAAAAAAAAcw/cpNXyPjj_p8/s1600/File0170+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeIQ1tXhLI/AAAAAAAAAcw/cpNXyPjj_p8/s400/File0170+copy+blog.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>﻿ <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeIcgu6-9I/AAAAAAAAAc0/SZbKNBnGxEU/s1600/File0175+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="248" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeIcgu6-9I/AAAAAAAAAc0/SZbKNBnGxEU/s400/File0175+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>﻿﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeIoD4-FnI/AAAAAAAAAc4/XqkzhDSatUk/s1600/File0176+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeIoD4-FnI/AAAAAAAAAc4/XqkzhDSatUk/s400/File0176+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeJWxphQXI/AAAAAAAAAc8/IP11vLCbdfM/s1600/File0178+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeJWxphQXI/AAAAAAAAAc8/IP11vLCbdfM/s400/File0178+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeJajWQcaI/AAAAAAAAAdA/5hMuUqclHiU/s1600/File0178+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeJajWQcaI/AAAAAAAAAdA/5hMuUqclHiU/s400/File0178+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></></></></></></></></></></></></></></></></></><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone's date stamp was a day early. oops!</td></></></></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿ ﻿ <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeJajWQcaI/AAAAAAAAAdA/5hMuUqclHiU/s1600/File0178+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeJajWQcaI/AAAAAAAAAdA/5hMuUqclHiU/s400/File0178+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeKP7HcCII/AAAAAAAAAdE/le02-FjqqSY/s1600/File0177+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeKP7HcCII/AAAAAAAAAdE/le02-FjqqSY/s400/File0177+copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And now for 2 pictures from the ceremony that were either missed by the in-house photographer or were too blurry to be recognizable.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeK9T2snuI/AAAAAAAAAdI/hpQISCtwrNI/s1600/File0171+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeK9T2snuI/AAAAAAAAAdI/hpQISCtwrNI/s400/File0171+blog.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pose wasthe blurriest of all that the photographer took.<br />Come on!!<br />It's our mother's for goodness sakes!<br />Thankfully someone else snapped this one!!</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeLiCJlGZI/AAAAAAAAAdM/g7i9qiIOy7U/s1600/File0174+copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TQeLiCJlGZI/AAAAAAAAAdM/g7i9qiIOy7U/s400/File0174+copy+blog.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿﻿ <br /><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">So you've got to be wondering what we are doing in that last picture. I know I would be had I not lived it.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">After the ceremony was over, the officiant came over to Stephen and asked that he take a 1 dollar bill out of his wallet. We were then instructed to write both of our names on it. It being the first time that I was to write my new married name. Yes it gets a little stranger. We were then handed the stick that you see pictured. It had a thumb tack attached to the end. We then tacked on the dollar bill to the very end point of the tack. And then together we stuck the money to the ceiling beams. Unfortunately you can't see it, but there were many many dollar bills already there from all the previous ceremonies that had taken place there. And from recent pictures on their website, it looks like they carried on the tradition. Even after the chapel was damaged in Hurricane Katrina.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We would love to go back to visit some time soon. We just may have to go back to have a look at their newly renovated chapel and to make sure our dollar bill is still there.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you for stopping by to learn about our wedding story. It may not have been what we would have planned had we had the time to plan it out, but it's our story. And I'm pretty confident that no one could ever duplicate it.</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-47774040702646304922010-12-03T15:43:00.000-08:002010-12-03T16:23:41.710-08:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!I love this time of year! Family, the big dinner, eating anything and everything that makes you feel good, oooh eggnog!!!, seeing the faces of family as they open their gifts that Santa brought..........but one other things stands out to me as well. <span style="font-size: large;">Decorating for Christmas!</span><br /><br />The tradition starts off with my daughter and I assembling the tree. Yes, we have a fake tree every year. I don't think that I've ever had a real tree. And while a lot of people prefer them and can't imagine Christmas without them, it's just not what I was raised with. And let's be totally honest....<br /><br />I'm <strong><span style="font-size: large;">way</span></strong> too OCD about our tree to not have the ability to mold the limbs in just the right way!! Yes it does mean fluffing, fluffing, fluffing...but it's all worth it when you can move the pieces around to hold that special ornament in just the right way.<br /><br />Once we get the tree up and fluffed to perfection...it's my husband's job to string up the lights. Just as he has no patience to assemble and fluff...I have NO patience whatsoever to put on the lights. <br /><br />And once he gets the lights just so, my daughter and I jump in and decorate with all the ornaments that we've collected over time. Although most of them are store bought simple colorful balls, we do have a select few that have special meaning. And to me, that makes them stand out even more. But the best part of the whole tradition, is to complete a task with my daughter year after year that she loves. I love seeing the plastered smile on her face the whole time we work together. This year I got a little choked up and had to pause for a second just to give her a great big hug. I stopped to let her know how much I enjoy decorating the tree with her every year, as well as making sure to let her know that I know she will have her own wonderfully decorate tree of her own someday.<br /><br />Some people may not share this tradition with their children, and that is completely fine. But for me, as long as she's in my house, she will always decorate the tree with me. And as long as that happens, I will love it forever.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1O3D-emI/AAAAAAAAAbg/1Bc5WnazeQA/s1600/IMG_3112blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1O3D-emI/AAAAAAAAAbg/1Bc5WnazeQA/s400/IMG_3112blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1RH3G2cI/AAAAAAAAAbk/cZ-X81qaH7k/s1600/IMG_3114blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1RH3G2cI/AAAAAAAAAbk/cZ-X81qaH7k/s400/IMG_3114blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A friend once told me that this blanket reminded her<br />of Freddy Kruger.<br />I can't help but to think of that every time I take it<br />out of storage. But it's one of my favorite things to <br />see in the house around Christmas. <br />Plus it's oh so soft and comfy!</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1UXz4laI/AAAAAAAAAbo/FdeYN4Llvpg/s1600/IMG_3119blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1UXz4laI/AAAAAAAAAbo/FdeYN4Llvpg/s400/IMG_3119blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This wreath was a happy accident.<br />I had a plain greenery wreath, box of candy canes, <br />leftover ribbon, and poinsettia flowers leftover <br />from years' past decorations. Combined together<br />they became a fun, whimsical holiday wreath.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1XH9sWaI/AAAAAAAAAbs/6QnaMnhNf1U/s1600/IMG_3122blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1XH9sWaI/AAAAAAAAAbs/6QnaMnhNf1U/s400/IMG_3122blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ <span id="goog_914104187"></span><span id="goog_914104188"></span><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1J6smm7I/AAAAAAAAAbc/lwGQLSm0ybs/s1600/IMG_3184blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl1J6smm7I/AAAAAAAAAbc/lwGQLSm0ybs/s400/IMG_3184blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is another self-made wreath. It's simply a wreath form from Dollar Tree,<br />&nbsp;2 packages of red garland (50 feet each), newspaper, tape, and ribbon to hang on.<br />a $4 price tag...sweet!!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl8MFEo8CI/AAAAAAAAAbw/LWRGzWDiohk/s1600/IMG_3116blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TPl8MFEo8CI/AAAAAAAAAbw/LWRGzWDiohk/s400/IMG_3116blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second only to the tree, the bow above our tv is one of <br />my favorite parts of all the decorations. The fabric covered<br />canvases are everyday decor, but needed a little "Tjuzs" <br />as Carson Kressley would say. Using a thumbtack, I pinned<br />the ribbon directly to the canvas. LOVE!!!!!!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">﻿﻿﻿﻿ </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Not sure if you noticed, but I did not include a picture of the tree I was gushing over at the beginning of the post. You know that OCD I mentioned....well it applies to pictures of it as well. I took all the above pictures during the day today, but really want to wait til it's dark enough to use only the lights on the tree as light for the picture. It seems to make the tree look more magical and pretty. So that'll be a post for another day. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">How WILL you stand the wait? ;)</span></div>﻿Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-29771493064101801192010-11-22T21:33:00.000-08:002010-11-22T21:33:52.176-08:00update and ----- Happy Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Not that I've been a very well scheduled blogger, but it's been some time since I last blogged. And unfortunately I can't really say that I've been so super busy. As a matter of fact, it's been the opposite. With the husband at work, and the child at school....it's left Mom at home alone with not a whole lot to do. And who really wants to blog about being bored? Really?</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Soon I won't be able to claim boredom. In a couple days, we are embarking on a 19 hour road trip to visit my dad and step-mom in beautiful southern Indiana. I fear that I'll be too late for the fall foliage I have been missing, but seeing family will more than make up for that.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As a matter of fact, my step-sister is due to have her first baby girl some time soon!! I'm so excited at the thought of possibly getting to see her. We're going to do everything possible to put her into labor while we're there...lol. Even more family to see..and of course photograph.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh and as if Thanksgiving and the possibility of a birth, my niece turns 12 on Thanksgiving day as well. oh wait there's more....they are also expecting a couple litters of newborn miniature schnauzers around that time as well!! Woah..that's a lot of birth and birthdays all wrapped up in one little span of time. (In case you are a new follower...my dad and step-mom breed miniature schnauzers.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">While I say that I've been bored for most of the time, I did have a few moments of enjoyment making a few gifts to take with us, for the new baby, the bday girl, and her sister.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are my latest projects:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">for the baby...a couple custom onesies</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtNr1dfV2I/AAAAAAAAAbA/dobzE3vpkrU/s1600/IMG_3099blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtNr1dfV2I/AAAAAAAAAbA/dobzE3vpkrU/s400/IMG_3099blog.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"my aunt think I'm cute as a (sewn on button)"</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtOFPBsPPI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uIutEBTlgmw/s1600/IMG_3095blog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtOFPBsPPI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uIutEBTlgmw/s400/IMG_3095blog.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />L is for Lanise<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtOStwSqrI/AAAAAAAAAbI/c3CG3iHagZo/s1600/IMG_3096blog.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtOStwSqrI/AAAAAAAAAbI/c3CG3iHagZo/s400/IMG_3096blog.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">and a close up of the design just cause I like it so much ;) <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtOhWzvoTI/AAAAAAAAAbM/op9L_me5uCA/s1600/IMG_3097blog.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtOhWzvoTI/AAAAAAAAAbM/op9L_me5uCA/s320/IMG_3097blog.jpg" /></a><br /><br />﻿a hand painted princess jewelry chest<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtOuF9cTZI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/8eEXzeELTM0/s1600/IMG_3089blog.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtOuF9cTZI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/8eEXzeELTM0/s400/IMG_3089blog.jpg" /></a><br /><br />And here are a couple other projects that don't really<br />fit in the Thanksgiving/road trip grouping..but I'm just too <br />lazy to add them to their own post. Hey....just being honest...lol<br /><br />a hooded sweatshirt for my daughter's school<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtPI5S5E4I/AAAAAAAAAbU/eVS7bZJcPew/s1600/IMG_3109blog.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtPI5S5E4I/AAAAAAAAAbU/eVS7bZJcPew/s400/IMG_3109blog.jpg" /></a><br /><br />a keychain made using a beer bottle cap and Mod Podge Dimensional Magic<br />(it's was a gift for my neighbor to give to her new husband for his bday.<br />the pic is one I took at their wedding)<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtPolNCkcI/AAAAAAAAAbY/oqopmACdsWU/s1600/IMG_2834blog.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TOtPolNCkcI/AAAAAAAAAbY/oqopmACdsWU/s320/IMG_2834blog.jpg" /></a><br /><br />﻿<br /><br /><br />Who knows, I may come back and share more details on a couple of the above projects. I'm just not makin' any promises. Capeesh? ;)<br /><br /><br />PS. I forgot to mention that the background in the baby gifts pictures is actually a blanket I made for the baby as well. It's the cutest brown and pink damask fleece. Backed with chocolate brown fleece, I made her her very own tied fleece blanket. I warned&nbsp;my sister&nbsp;that I didn't really want to part with any of the baby stuff, but have no real reason to keep it hostage.</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-60488001794316342112010-10-19T07:20:00.000-07:002010-10-19T07:20:51.280-07:00Photo Contest over at Pixel Perfect<div style="text-align: center;">Hey y'all....(guess I'm feeling country today). </div><div style="text-align: center;">Guess what I just did? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I entered&nbsp;a photo contest&nbsp;over at <a href="http://www.pixelperfectblog.com/">Pixel Perfect!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pixelperfectblog.com/2010/10/pixel-perfect-photo-contest.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TL2nWc029sI/AAAAAAAAAa8/DqHAG68G6LM/s1600/pixelperfectphotocontest.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clicking on the button above will take you to her blog post about the contest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Go have a look!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-72500905614397428902010-10-13T12:22:00.000-07:002010-10-17T18:59:04.217-07:00Missing: a true fall sceneGrowing up, I lived in several small towns in southern Indiana. Where there are four&nbsp;distinct seasons. Summer, fall, winter, and spring. Some seasons I liked more than others. But looking back, I took them for granted. Isn't that usually how it is when you have something around year after year, without fail? <br /><br />After meeting my husband, and getting to move around several times in the last 7+ years, I look back and miss the days of driving through the Indiana countryside in awe of all the beautiful fall colors. Each season has it's own splendor, but the turning of leaves that comes in autumn has been missing from my life for quite some time now. And&nbsp;it didn't really bother me much until recently. <br /><br />You see, we first moved to Washington state. In the area we lived, we did have the four seasons. It's just that when fall came around we only got a little bit of color. But if you've never been there, there are a TON of evergreen trees. Shoot, that's the state motto, The Evergreen State. So with all those around, there wasn't a lot of room for fall colors.<br /><br />Next we were off to Connecticut. And I've heard many stories of New England fall colors. That none could compare. We&nbsp;lived there for a <strike>long</strike> short 6 months....mostly all in the deep of winter!! From early December to May. So no such luck there!<br /><br />North Carolina was next. Everything there pretty much just died and whithered away. Or so it seemed. We had a very small window of maybe a week that we could see SOME trees changing. But again, as with WA state, there were a lot of pine and evergreen trees around. Can you see a pattern here? <br /><br />Now that we are in central Texas, I'm becoming homesick for a REAL autumn season. So these will just have to do for the time being.<br /><br />﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ <br />﻿ <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.williamlsnyder.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/browncountyfallcolors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="271" src="http://blog.williamlsnyder.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/browncountyfallcolors.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image <a href="http://blog.williamlsnyder.com/">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table>﻿ ﻿ <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TLYFgizEy-I/AAAAAAAAAa4/vxV4oE2ZaRg/s1600/fall-reflections-of-indiana-carol-milisen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TLYFgizEy-I/AAAAAAAAAa4/vxV4oE2ZaRg/s400/fall-reflections-of-indiana-carol-milisen.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/fall-reflections-of-indiana-carol-milisen.html">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vintagepretties.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834524f6f69e20120a63b84a1970b-500wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="290" src="http://vintagepretties.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834524f6f69e20120a63b84a1970b-500wi" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://vintagepretties.typepad.com/vintage_pretties/2009/10/fall-trip-to-indiana.html">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table>Who could resist such beauty??<br /><br />And lastly, a scene that reminds me of something I was very likely to see. More than not, my dad would be out in his little fishing boat on the lake, chasing "the one that got away". Oh the stories he could tell.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2989229892_c7ae8888ce_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="287" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2989229892_c7ae8888ce_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">image <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cindy47452/2989229892/in/set-72157607371084128/">source</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Some day I will make it back for the heart of the autumn splendor. I just hope it's not too far off.</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-63351178374601188942010-10-07T05:01:00.000-07:002010-10-07T05:46:08.003-07:00Designer Challenge Finalist: Over at Maddycakes MuseHi friends! I'm so excited. I entered a contest over at <a href="http://maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com/2010/09/desigers-challenge.html">Maddycakes Muse</a>&nbsp;and she selected my design to be one of the <a href="http://maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com/2010/10/designer-challenge-finalistshappy-owl.html">3 finalists</a>. Yay!! <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TK28Oc6fyiI/AAAAAAAAAaw/yx6OoFuXBhw/s1600/invitemyblog+png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="280" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TK28Oc6fyiI/AAAAAAAAAaw/yx6OoFuXBhw/s400/invitemyblog+png.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />If you can't tell, I added googly eyes to the cupcake topper. I like the idea of printing them without eyes, and adding simple google eyes onto them. What kid wouldn't love that???<br /><br />So there were 59 entries, and I got picked for the top 3!! I am <span style="font-size: large;">so</span> over the moon right now.<br /><br />Now for the begging...please go vote for me! It would make it ever more awesome to win. Michelle will use the winning design at her daughter's Happy Owl-oween party, send the creator professional pics of their design at the party, and a lucky follower could win a set too!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So head on over and <a href="http://maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com/2010/10/designer-challenge-finalistshappy-owl.html"><span style="font-size: large;">vote, vote, vote</span></a>! I'll be your <span style="font-size: large;">friend forever</span>... :) </div><div style="text-align: center;">(if you don't have an account set up to log in to, you can e-mail her your vote as well.)</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-33224079723199159962010-09-29T14:27:00.000-07:002010-09-29T14:27:20.996-07:00Make your own custom tshirtSo my husband likes to hang on to clothes. For a <span style="font-size: large;">LONG</span> time! I can't really put my finger on how long because he has several items that he's had before even meeting me in 2001. Yep! And a lot of those items would include t-shirts. College team t-shirts, old athletics event tshirts...etc etc. <br /><br />I can't at this moment in time remember where we were, or what we were doing, when I saw him wearing one of his favorites, a Duke Basketball shirt.&nbsp;I had never paid much attention to it before, but this time would be the last! The only thing I DO remember was that we were out in public with no option for a quick change. Drats!!<br /><br />As lovingly as a wife could be in this situation, I turned to him and said something along the lines of......<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">"OMG! That shirt is so old! Look it has a big hole at the neckline and it's ratty! You have to get rid of that thing!"</span><br /><br />And he replies.... WHY???? I love this shirt. I've had it forever. *pouty face*<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">"EXACTLY!!"</span><br /><br />I don't think he saw what was coming next. &nbsp;"What if I got you a NEW&nbsp; Duke shirt? Would you finally throw this one away?" And he said yes! He doesn't seem to remember it too well, but he said yes.<br /><br />So the wheels get to turning. And that's when I ran across this <a href="http://www.crapivemade.com/2010/03/freezer-paper-bleach.html">tutorial</a> over at <a href="http://www.crapivemade.com/">Crap I've Made</a>. Pure Genius I tell ya! So I had what I was going to do. Now to find the shirt. you would THINK that finding a plain royal blue tshirt in his size would be semi-easy. I checked 3 thrift stores, Wal*Mart, and Big Lots before heading to Michael's. I didn't expect to find this<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOWjRhPzmI/AAAAAAAAAaA/bA9E-GpHOlI/s1600/Photo-0024+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOWjRhPzmI/AAAAAAAAAaA/bA9E-GpHOlI/s400/Photo-0024+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The ONLY one! And it happened to be in his size! The long drawn out search had ended. <br /><br />So to the design. I googled the Duke logo. There were a couple options. But I knew being me, that I would need to take on the most complicated version. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOYeICrp0I/AAAAAAAAAaE/_rmZiB_d7PQ/s1600/Dukelogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOYeICrp0I/AAAAAAAAAaE/_rmZiB_d7PQ/s200/Dukelogo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Yep. That's the one. The one with a million and one cut outs. Hmm...was I making the right decision? All for love, right?<br /><br />I'll walk you through my process. I feel like I need to add a disclaimer here first.<br /><span style="font-size: large;">DISCLAIMER: read this entire post before starting. You'll see why!</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Supplies:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOY4P2-B8I/AAAAAAAAAaI/GkPtJKuPUpk/s1600/IMG_2728+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOY4P2-B8I/AAAAAAAAAaI/GkPtJKuPUpk/s400/IMG_2728+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">-Plain tshirt in choice color<br />-freezer paper<br />-cutting mat (mine is a small one from Creative Memories)<br />-cutting tool (mine happens to be a scalpel, but could have easily used my exacto knife)<br />-ink pen<br />-cardboard (to put in the middle of the shirt to prevent bleach going through to the back)<br />-iron (with no steam)<br />-bleach in a spray bottle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOcFLIp3eI/AAAAAAAAAaM/HULXOlsdXDo/s1600/IMG_2742+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOcFLIp3eI/AAAAAAAAAaM/HULXOlsdXDo/s400/IMG_2742+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ummmm....I believe that's all. A lot of what&nbsp;I used should be typical household items.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I started out with tracing the design. For this I just used my laptop screen!! Oh I almost forgot, when cutting the freezer paper from the roll, make it large enough that you have some leftover around the design. That will help prevent any outside bleed or accidental spots :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>﻿ <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOda0jmcGI/AAAAAAAAAaU/yoQW4m9JK_8/s1600/IMG_2729+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOda0jmcGI/AAAAAAAAAaU/yoQW4m9JK_8/s400/IMG_2729+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>﻿ <div style="text-align: left;">Trace the design onto the non-waxy&nbsp;side of the freezer paper. I would recommend tracing lightly if you use my method. I used light pressure as to not damage my screen! If you don't have a laptop that you could use in this manner, I'm sure you could print out your design and trace that.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOdEJhyFxI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/fi6asPgyAQU/s1600/IMG_2730blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOdEJhyFxI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/fi6asPgyAQU/s400/IMG_2730blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once I had the design fully traced, I compared it to the original to make sure that I had gotten all pieces. And got started on cutting it out.&nbsp;Make sure to keep all of the loose pieces. It will help when positioning your design onto the tshirt. Or may provide useful later on. (As I soon found out)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was at this point that I wondered what the crap&nbsp;I was&nbsp;thinking trying to use such an intricate design.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOiLguRPII/AAAAAAAAAaY/j0GY-BInThs/s1600/IMG_2732+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOiLguRPII/AAAAAAAAAaY/j0GY-BInThs/s400/IMG_2732+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I even contemplated leaving the design like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOiYG2tSEI/AAAAAAAAAac/eTEGHPeZlo4/s1600/IMG_2739+vlog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOiYG2tSEI/AAAAAAAAAac/eTEGHPeZlo4/s400/IMG_2739+vlog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I tried to rationalize it to myself. <span style="font-size: large;">I </span><span style="font-size: small;">could see what it was supposed to be. Who cares if it didn't have the detail. But being the perfectionist that <strike>I am</strike> strive to be, I googled to see if there were any manufactured shirts that looked like my half done cut out. Nope..of course not! Dang it. Ok I'll keep cutting *pout</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When you have it all cut out, place the freezer paper waxy side down onto your shirt. Iron the paper onto the shirt. When the waxy side is heated, it adheres lightly to the shirt just enough to provide a great stencil. Make sure not to move the iron from side to side..it could get caught on the smaller pieces and possibly rip or tear them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then using a spray bottle of pure bleach (do not dilute. It won't work as well), lightly spray over the cut out areas until fully covered. The problem for me was that I didn't do it too lightly. I wanted to make sure that I was thorough.&nbsp;I used a little but too much and it ended up&nbsp;soaking through the inside of my stencil. Darn it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So what I had was a big bleached out D without any inner design. NO!!!!!! All that work?? For nothing??</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But wait....what about painting it? Remember me saying to keep all the pieces you cut out?? Yep, those came in handy! I positioned the leftover pieces back onto the shirt and ironed them on. This time I used some craft acrylic paint and used the leftover pieces as a stencil. A lot of people recommend using a textile medium added to your paint. But I didn't have any and have used this technique in the past and didn't need it. Do what you think will work for you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Being my own worst critic, I wasn't sure if it liked it or not. So to make the bleached out spot look more like it was on purpose I randomly sprayed outside of the design.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What do you think?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOo9U6wKkI/AAAAAAAAAak/naAvuW7h8Qs/s1600/IMG_2745+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOo9U6wKkI/AAAAAAAAAak/naAvuW7h8Qs/s400/IMG_2745+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOpDfudJ9I/AAAAAAAAAao/lsm3q3AZ0Cw/s1600/IMG_2746+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOpDfudJ9I/AAAAAAAAAao/lsm3q3AZ0Cw/s400/IMG_2746+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />I was nervous for my husband to get home. I wanted it to turn out perfectly, and what happens if I can't get him to trade in his old ratty shirt???? I was not prepared for that..lol.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well I lucked out. He loves it! He said that it looks like a professionally made shirt. Either he really does like it, he's just trying to be nice, or I have him trained really well. Either way....he agreed to finally let go of&nbsp; his old one.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOt2uTY2eI/AAAAAAAAAas/DLV5PPi_57Y/s1600/IMG_2748+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKOt2uTY2eI/AAAAAAAAAas/DLV5PPi_57Y/s400/IMG_2748+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-41343260567208156172010-09-28T13:33:00.000-07:002010-09-29T12:08:58.739-07:00"Healthified" Pumpkin BreadI have to admit even after seeing all the fall posts all over blog-land, that I have not been able to get into a fall mood recently. We live in Texas and it's no where close to being fall weather quite yet. (Although the last couple mornings have been a LITTLE cooler, it quickly warms up by noon.) But it all started when we had a bunch of bananas go bad.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pixelperfectdigital.com/free_stock_photos/data/545/medium/rotten_bananas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" px="true" src="http://www.pixelperfectdigital.com/free_stock_photos/data/545/medium/rotten_bananas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And what else do you make when you have an abundance of overripe bananas? MAKE BANANA BREAD!!<br /><br />Oh it was so delicious. I used this <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Extreme-Banana-Nut-Bread-EBNB/Detail.aspx?tsrc=ef">recipe</a> from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/">All Recipes.com</a>. <br />But it really wasn't what finally put me in the mood for fall.<br /><br />It was <a href="http://www.kitchenmonki.com/recipe/Healthified_Pumpkin_Bread">Andrea's Healthified Pumpkin Bread</a> that did me in. Oh boy did it!<br /><br />I had remembered seeing her post about the recipe on her <a href="http://walkinginmysocks.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, but at the time I didn't really see myself making anything "healthified". Which due to some recent back and forth healthy debating, I feel obligated to mention that in no way does she claim that it is "healthy". It's just been modified in a way to use ingredients that cut down on some of the "yucky for you" stuff. (Can you tell that was in my own words?? I'm sure she could do better at explaining)<br /><br />ANYwho.....I decided to make it today! We had most of the ingredients already, so that was already a plus. A quick trip to the grocery store was in order for the can of pumpkin and whole wheat flour. <br /><br />Before doing a single thing this morning, I started on&nbsp; the recipe. I let it bake for 50 minutes instead of the hour / hour and a half that was in the instructions. And that was only because my banana bread had cooked in about that time the day before.<br /><br />Cue the angels!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKJNp9AHmcI/AAAAAAAAAZw/8TjM7K1CdYA/s1600/IMG_2720+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKJNp9AHmcI/AAAAAAAAAZw/8TjM7K1CdYA/s400/IMG_2720+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKJNwMemuyI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/4nZAvi3FTYY/s1600/IMG_2721+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKJNwMemuyI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/4nZAvi3FTYY/s400/IMG_2721+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How do you like my makeshift cooling rack?<br />It's the rack that goes inside of my microwave,<br />on top of 4 cans of corn. Does it make any more <br />sense if I mention that I'm not usually a baker??</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKJOJUrJsbI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/MpCDTR8jn0Y/s1600/IMG_2723+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKJOJUrJsbI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/MpCDTR8jn0Y/s400/IMG_2723+blog.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKJO2RA9PGI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/dSmRBJCN9b8/s1600/IMG_2726+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TKJO2RA9PGI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/dSmRBJCN9b8/s400/IMG_2726+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok so you caught me. So I sprinkled some powdered sugar<br />on top of some healthified pumpkin bread?? Don't judge me!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />So far I have managed to <span style="font-size: large;">ONLY</span> eat 3 slices. Hey! That <span style="font-size: large;">leaps and bounds</span> better than I did with the banana bread the day before. Oh and I also have to share that this is the very first baking venture that came cleanly out of the container on the first try!! It's the small things people! No matter how well I grease cake pans, muffin tins, and now loaf pans......my food always sticks. Not today baby!! <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Whooo Hoo!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Total random sidenote...Blogger spell check highlighted </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Whooo for being misspelled but didn't get Hoo????</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-78990400884989397642010-09-24T06:38:00.000-07:002010-09-24T06:38:32.646-07:00A week in the life FridaysSo what was&nbsp;I thinking? I was expecting myself to take a picture every day? HA! Yea right!<br /><br />I&nbsp;got through two weeks. And then simply forgot to take any pictures. I'm actually pretty surprised that I made it that far! I've never been a good "routine" follower. I envy people that can be.&nbsp; <br /><br />So&nbsp;I am letting myself off the hook with saying that I may still post more A Week in the Life Fridays.....but only when I've remembered to take the pictures. <br /><br />For now, because I can't bring myself to have a picture-less post:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TJypkj6RGYI/AAAAAAAAAZs/vYSEaH0GOOU/s1600/IMG_4892copy+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TJypkj6RGYI/AAAAAAAAAZs/vYSEaH0GOOU/s400/IMG_4892copy+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-44666912225603319982010-09-23T06:34:00.000-07:002010-09-23T06:34:00.242-07:00Before and AfterFrom time to time, I get bored. Big shocker I'm sure! And when I get bored I try to channel my creativity to try something new. That may mean by doing a DIY project around the house, shopping for supplies for said projects....but a lot of the time it means experimenting with photography and utilizing my photoshop skills to come up with something new.<br /><br />Cue this new kind of before and after, all in one picture.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TJoLsJxpGdI/AAAAAAAAAXg/XzYbqr1hj5A/s1600/mirror+mirror+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" px="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TJoLsJxpGdI/AAAAAAAAAXg/XzYbqr1hj5A/s400/mirror+mirror+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />Before and after getting dressed for a party.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; :)<br /><br />Wanna know how I did it? Leave me a comment. If I get enough interest, I'll share my tips.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-65504497850184691792010-09-22T07:10:00.000-07:002010-09-29T12:09:13.528-07:00So excited!!I am beyond myself at the generosity of people some times. I try to do things for others a lot. Unfortunately it feels a little one sided at times. But when it reciprocated, it's oh so sweet! Don't get me wrong, I don't do things for people in the search for something in return. I am a natural born giver. <br /><br />But just the other day, I was chatting with my friend, <a href="http://walkinginmysocks.blogspot.com/2010/09/ruffled-camera-strap.html">Andrea</a>....and she offered to make me one of these!!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://walkinginmysocks.blogspot.com/2010/09/ruffled-camera-strap.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" qx="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TJjq5a2x7jI/AAAAAAAAAXE/ikYAd9IKuWA/s400/strap+Andrea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A ruffled camera strap!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I know you're pretty jealous right about now. I would be for sure! So I showed her a few fabric patterns that I like, but ultimately left it up to her as to which fabrics to use. My only requirement??? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That it includes my signature <span style="font-size: x-large;">green</span> of course!!﻿ But the best part was that she said she already knew that that would be a must.. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2354776622988483355.post-69843376690450027372010-09-21T09:49:00.000-07:002010-09-21T09:59:17.077-07:00Spot the differencesYou see them all the time in popular magazines. They encourage you to find the 6 differences in the two pictures. I always get to 5. And can not for the life of me, find the last one. So I&nbsp;usually end up cheating after searching for what seems like forever.<br /><br />So I thought it would be fun to <strike>torture you</strike> test your difference finding skills. <br /><br />See if you can find the 6 differences.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TJjkW5B3PKI/AAAAAAAAAXA/ubUzdUM5xUc/s1600/spotthedifferencesblog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qx="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Av2kAxMmiRk/TJjkW5B3PKI/AAAAAAAAAXA/ubUzdUM5xUc/s640/spotthedifferencesblog.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>Picture can be enlarged by clicking on it. And I promise none are hidden under my logo.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh and don't bother looking down here for the answers. Those will be posted later... ;)<br /><br />Have fun!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13580252355765411295noreply@blogger.com0